Stevie:"It just wasn't to be"

STEVIE DOWN BUT PROUD AFTER EURO EXIT Paul Eaton 01 May 2008

A proud Steven Gerrard today reflected on Liverpool's narrow failure to reach Moscow and admitted: "It just wasn't meant to be."
Despite the 3-2 defeat on the night at Stamford Bridge, the Reds' skipper insists there were plenty of positives to take from the display - even though it will be Chelsea and not Liverpool who travel to take on Manchester United in this season's final. "It just wasn't to be," he said. "Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and admit it wasn't your night. "We gave it absolutely everything and I was as proud to be captain of the team last night as I have ever been. "Even after going behind we kept on fighting and looking to get back into the game and when we managed to do that it looked like we could even go on and win it. "Like I said, it wasn't to be, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. You have to give Chelsea credit, they are a good side – you don't get through to European Cup finals unless you are. "We've all got to look forward because it's never easy to lose a game like this. We were all desperate to win the European Cup again, especially for our fans, who were magnificent again last night. "The backing they gave us was incredible and we're just gutted that we could not repay their support by getting through to the final. "But there is no point in looking back or thinking of what might have been. We have to look forward because we have to go into next season looking to improve again. "Hopefully, we will go into next season with a stronger squad because that could make a big difference, particularly when we're playing in games like last night's. "And if we can bottle the disappointment we're feeling right now it could be a big motivation for us."